Feb 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a press conference to announce that Chicago will host the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman during a press conference to announce that Chicago will host the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
As the 2016 draft rapidly approaches, we’ll take a look back at how the Philadelphia Flyers’ 2015 picks have progressed over the last year.
Ron Hextall’s philosophy as general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers has been pretty clear: build through the draft and develop players. He has followed through on that ethos thus far by stockpiling draft picks, whereas Paul Holmgren was always willing to move picks for veterans.
Last summer, the Flyers had 9 draft picks. This year, they have even more with 10 picks. While it is near impossible to predict how the Flyers will spend their picks this week, we can catch up on the progress of their picks last year.
Next: Ivan Provorov
Ivan Provorov, D – 1st Round, #7 Overall
Ivan Provorov had a spectacular season. In 62 regular season WHL games, he scored 73 points, and was +64, while only earning 16 PIMs despite all that ice time. He was named CHL defenseman of the year (which covers all junior leagues together), and led his team to the WHL championship. If you believe the analysts in the video above, the NHL beckons.
Next: Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny, C – 1st Round, #24 Overall
Konecny had a great season, scoring 101 points in 60 games for 2 different teams. He was traded in January, which was a gamble by his team. His team, the Ottawa 67’s, weren’t going to win anything this year, and they traded their best player rather than risk losing him for nothing if he graduates to the NHL next season.
Truly Konecny might not have much to gain from another season in juniors, but he is not eligible for the AHL because of his age. Time will tell if Ottawa made a smart move, or if Hextall will prefer that Konecny gets more seasoning. Either way, it looks like the Flyers made a great pick late in the first round.
Next: 3rd Round Picks
Felix Sandstrom, G – 3rd Round, #70 Overall
When it came time for the 3rd round, the Philadelphia Flyers picked up 2 European goalies.
Sandstrom took some nice strides this season. He went from appearing in only 2 Swedish Elite league games, to splitting duties with 25 games played this season. He also played for Sweden at the World Juniors, but struggled with a .795 save percentage.
Matej Tomek, G – 3rd Round, #90 Overall
Unfortunately this was a lost season for Tomek. Tomek joined North Dakota as a freshman, but he picked up an early injury. This injury derailed him enough that he did not play at all this season.
Next: 4th Round Picks
Samuel Dove-McFalls, LW – 4th Round, #98 Overall
The Flyers were back to taking forwards in Round 4, and with their first such pick took the hard-working Dove-McFalls. He doesn’t offer too much offense, but he serves as captain of his junior team due to his 2-way game. He was limited to 29 regular season games this season, scoring 12 points. He added 7 more points in 17 playoff games.
Mikhail Vorobyov, C – 4th Round, #104 Overall
Vorobyov split time this season between the KHL and the lower level MHL. In 28 KHL games, he scored 3 points.
Next: Late Round Picks
David Kase, RW – 5th Round, #128 Overall
Kase played in the Czech league this year, scoring 1 goal in 30 games. He also served as an alternate captain for the Czech World Junior team, adding one assist in 5 games.
Cooper Marody, C- 6th Round, #158 Overall
Marody exceeded expectations as a freshman at Michigan this season. He scored more than expected, and finished the season with 24 points in 32 games.
Ivan Fedotov, G – 7th Round, #188 Overall
The Philadelphia Flyers last pick, Fedotov didn’t take much of a step this season. He remained in the MHL, and played in fewer games this season than in the prior season.
